With all of the importance that society - or at least the male portion of society - places on penis size, the notion that a shrinking penis might actually be a "thing" can come as an unwelcome shock. Unfortunately, there are certain issues that really can affect the length and girth of the penis. While some of these are short-lived, there are problems that can lead to more lasting shrinkage of the penile tissue; engaging in adequate penis care is a must to reduce the risk of this unwelcome problem.

Causes of Short-Term or Temporary Shrinkage

- Cold. As the average six-year-old boy already knows, jumping into a freezing cold body of water will immediately cause the boys downstairs to shrivel to minuscule proportions. This is a perfectly natural physiological response to the exposure to cold; the penile tissue simply retreats as far inside the body as possible in order to stay warm.

- Physical activity. During a workout, the body tends to direct the bulk of its supply of blood to the large muscle groups needed to carry out physical exercise. As a result, the less critical areas of the body, including the penis, only get the minimum amount of blood required, and therefore, the penis tends to appear much smaller. This is no reason to consider giving up an exercise program, though - the effect is only temporary, and the exercise is beneficial in the long run in terms of penile health and function.

- Being overweight. A few extra pounds on the waistline will not actually cause the penis to shrink, but pads of fat around the pubis can certainly make the equipment appear smaller. Shedding those extra pounds is not only beneficial in terms of overall health, but it can add up to an inch of visible length to the penis as well.

Causes of Lasting Decreases in Penis Size

A shrinking penis caused by medical conditions and other chronic problems may be a sign of penile atrophy, in which there is a measurable reduction in the amount of penile tissue present. The following may be responsible:

- Smoking. There are no good sides to smoking, and plenty of bad sides. One of the more psychologically devastating for men is the effect that a long-term habit can have on the size and function of the penis. Smoking tobacco products disrupts the nerve, muscle and circulatory tissue of the penis, causing it to atrophy and become smaller; men who smoke may experience a dramatic decrease in size over time. Quitting smoking may allow the tissue to slowly return to normal, so there is no better time than the present to snuff the butts for good.

- Poor circulation. When the smooth muscle tissue of the penis is not constantly nourished by a steady supply of blood, it is deprived of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly and carry out self-repair of damaged cells. The result can be loss of ability to achieve and maintain an erection, as well as a perceptible loss in size. Poor circulation can be caused by factors such as obesity, heart disease, long hours spent sitting and even overly restrictive clothing. Getting plenty of physical exercise to increase blood flow to the area may help to counteract this issue.

- Low testosterone. Low levels of male hormone can affect the ability to achieve an erection; without this rush of blood into the penis on a regular basis, the "use it or lose it" rule applies.

- Peyronie’s disease. Connective tissue disorders such as Peyronie’s disease, which is caused by scarring of the tissue surrounding the erectile chambers, can cause shrinkage of the penis, as well as severe pain and loss of function.

- Aging. Over time, the penile tissue - as with the tissue throughout the rest of the body - tends to break down, and some loss in size may occur.

Preventing Penile Atrophy

Often, the risk of penile atrophy can be reduced by making some common-sense changes to a man’s lifestyle. These may include developing healthy eating habits, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking and losing weight. These actions can promote increased blood flow, and thus, better oxygenation of the penile tissue.

In addition, a proper diet and physical exercise go a long way toward keeping bodily functions such as hormone production in balance, so that enough testosterone is available to trigger erections and keep the blood flowing.

Men who are conscious about their overall health may also choose to make a top-quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) a part of their daily personal care routine. A product that is enriched with nutrients such as vitamin C can support healthy circulatory tissue, while L-arginine - an amino acid - triggers the response that allows the blood vessels in the penis to relax and permit a rush of blood to flow in. Antioxidant ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid provide further benefits by helping to slow the aging process, leaving the skin with a supple, even tone and appearance.